Witness Walkthrough - Making a statement

Frequently Asked Questions
 
  • Why haven't the police contacted me since I made my report?
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    The police have to prioritise what they can and cannot investigate and what information they should follow up. In some cases the police may decide that they do not need to speak to you again but, just because the police have not contacted you or they have not asked you to make a statement, it does not mean that they do not value your information. They will usually only take statements from witnesses if the crime is serious or where there is a good chance that they will be able to arrest someone.

    Even if your information does not help solve that particular crime the police can use the information to try to find patterns in where and how crime is being committed in a certain area. What you tell the police may also help by confirming what they already suspect, or it may provide a new line of investigation.

  • I have spoken to the police and made a report - is that the same as a statement?
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    Making a report to the police is not the same as making a statement. A statement is written or video evidence that may be used in court.

  • Where will the statement be taken?
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    If you give a written statement, the police will normally ask to come to your home but they will try and meet your needs - you can ask for them to meet you somewhere else or to use an unmarked police car when visiting you if you prefer. The police will show proof of their identity before talking to you.

    If your statement is to be video recorded you will be asked to go to a specially equipped video suite which is not normally in a police station, for example, it may be at NSPCC premises.

  • What information will the officer need?
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    The police need as much information as possible to help them investigate the crime and to find other evidence. This includes:

    • As much information as possible about the incident (e.g. location, time, descriptions of those involved);
    • Descriptions or names of any other witnesses;
    • Registration number of any vehicles even if they were not involved in the incident, as the driver may have seen something;
    • Descriptions, identifying marks or serial numbers of any stolen property;
    • If you are worried about your own or your family's safety, so the police can give you advice; and
    • If you think the offence was a hate crime (e.g. racially motivated) or of a sexual nature.
  • Can I withdraw my statement?
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    No. Once you have signed your statement you cannot withdraw it. Once signed, the statement becomes part of the case papers. However, if you do need to change something or you later remember something that should have been included in your original statement you can make a further statement. If the case goes to court, you may be called to give evidence. If you are called to give evidence you will have to attend, whether you want to or not.

  • Can my evidence be recorded on video rather than a written statement?
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    Usually the police officer will compile a written statement of the information that you have given but in some situations the police officer may think that it is better to video your interview instead. Video interviews are not available for all witnesses. The police (in discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service, sometimes known as the CPS) have to consider a witness' age, physical and mental state and vulnerability before choosing this option. If a young person (under the age of 17) gives a statement in a case which is likely to go to court, they will almost always be video interviewed.

    The police officer who carries out the video interview will explain the procedure and what will happen. The officer will not discuss the evidence that you are going to give before the interview is recorded. This is to ensure that you give the most accurate description of what you saw or know, so the video contains the best evidence possible.

  • What other evidence might the police need?
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    Sometimes the police will need to take samples from where the crime took place, for example they may need to take photographs or fingerprints. The procedures may vary depending on the type and severity of the crime. This will usually be done by a specially trained Scenes of Crime Officer.

  • What are identity parades?
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    There are several different types of identification parade. The most common is the line-up. In a line-up the suspect stands in a line with other people who have similar features to the suspect i.e. similar height, hair colour, build and style. Those in the line-up stand one side of a one-way glass partition and the witness and the police officer stand on the other side. You will be able to see all of the people in the line-up, including the suspect. None of them, including the suspect, will be able to see you. The suspect's solicitor can be present at the identification parade to ensure that it is carried out fairly.

    In some areas Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording (VIPER) is being used. In this type of parade, witnesses watch a video line-up that includes an image of the suspect. The showing of the video is usually filmed. VIPER parades are similar to line-ups and have the same effect, but they do not require the suspect to attend the police station and some witness may find it less intimidating to pick an image out on computer. It is hoped that soon witnesses will be able to take part in this type of video parade in their own home.

    There are other types of identification procedure, which are rarely used. If needed the police officer in the case will explain them to you.

  • If I saw the person will I have to attend an identity parade?
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    In some cases, if the police have a suspect but there is doubt to the identification of the suspect, they may ask you to attend an identification parade. Some witnesses are quite worried about identifying suspects in identification parades but the police will explain the process to you and they will support you through it.

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